Detroit Tigers' Justin Verlander implodes in first career All-Star Game start, shelled in short outing

AP PhotoAmerican League's Justin Verlander, of the Detroit Tigers, misses a grounder from National League's Rafael Furcal, of the St. Louis Cardinals, in the first inning of the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday in Kansas City, Mo.

Verlander made arguably the worst start of his career on one of baseball's biggest stages, giving up five runs on four hits in his much-anticipated All-Star Game start late Tuesday.

Verlander threw 35 pitches, 19 for strikes as he struggled with command -- the result of him overthrowing most of his pitches in an attempt to woo the 40,000-plus fans at Kauffman Stadium.

He became the third pitcher in All-Star Game history to allow five-plus runs in one or fewer innings pitched, joining Atlee Hammaker (1983) and Sandy Consuegra (1954).

“I’m not going to go out there and throw 90 and hit my spots,” he said. “Nobody wants to see that. Not from me anyway.”

He opened the Midsummer Classic with a 97 mph fastball and followed with a 98 mph heater -- it didn't take long before he started touching 101 mph.

"I threw a pitch at 100 and (Carlos Beltran) fouled it off, so Prince (Fielder) at first goes, ‘Ver! 101!’” he said. “The next pitch, of course was a ball, but it was 101 and I looked at him and said, ‘See?’”

Five of Verlander's 35 pitches touched 100 mph -- another was clocked at 101 -- a clear sign the reigning AL MVP and Cy Young Award winner wasn't following his typical plan.

Verlander will frequently throw his fastball in the 91-92 mph range through the first three innings with the velocity gradually increasing with each passing inning.

"Usually, once I do that, it's easy for me to amp it up a little bit and still be consistent in the strike zone," Verlander said. "Obviously, it was a little bit different today."

Prior to Tuesday, Verlander had never allowed more than four runs in 13 career starts at Kauffman Stadium. He gave up five Tuesday night, aided by two walks.

He didn't re-enter the game in the second inning for the American League with manager Ron Washington, instead, bringing in Texas closer Joe Nathan. He understood the decision.

"I think it was pretty much a no-brainer that I wasn't going back out there," he said.

Making his first career All-Star start, Verlander opened up the first inning strong, striking out National League leadoff hitter Carlos Gonzalez. Then came the struggles.

San Francisco outfielder Melky Cabrera took a first-pitch elevated fastball to shallow left center before scoring on Ryan Braun's double that reached the right-field wall.

After striking out Cincinnati's Joey Votto, Verlander issued back-to-back walks to Beltran and Buster Posey, loading the bases for San Francisco's Pablo Sandoval.

A bases-clearing triple by Sandoval gave the National League a four-run lead in the first.